Has anyone here got their cholesterol levels..

**cab54** · 04-06-2008, 07:46 PM

down to normal or near normal WITHOUT medication?

What changes did you make, or what did you do?

Did you have to do an extremely rigid eating program, or could you indulge a teensy bit.

Was it exercise that made the difference? or diet? or both.....

Thanks in advance, all!

**lwlynch** · 04-06-2008, 09:40 PM

I have struggled with it for years. they tried to medicate me, but the medicine made me sick. so i tried eating lower fat and keeping to a portion kinda eating, and oatmeal. i had my cholestrol done and it dropped..248 to 178 i was also taking fish oil. but not sure if that helped will have my cholestrol done again next week will let you know. also i do 30 min of exercise

**quiltergirl2** · 04-06-2008, 10:02 PM

This is something you really should ask your doctor. If s/he can't or won't answer you can ask for a referral to a dietician/nutritionist. Our doc is pretty good with diet and supplements and recommended several things to us. But we had to ask her for specifics because the very general dietary/exercise guidelines she gave us were things we were already doing.

This is just something that you need the guidance of a professional on -- even then it still can involve some trial and error. Different things seem to work for different people and of course you have to know your lab numbers to know if it's working. Our doctor actually makes a copy of the lab report for us. I will not accept "everything's fine" as an answer to lab results anymore. I was being told that for years when it turns out everything was not fine.

**cab54** · 04-07-2008, 09:56 AM

Thanks, Ms. Louise and quiltergirl2.

You'd think my mother's heart attack and bypass surgery a couple years ago would have jolted me into gear. BUT she was of normal weight and biked and walked and ate right. The picture of health.

Seems like it shouldn't happen to a person who takes care of themselves. So I guess I sometimes see all of the things we try and do to help ourselves as possibly useless.

Then I eat things I shouldn't and throw in the towel. Consistency is NOT my strong suit.

But I know I need to work on it. High Cholesterol runs in our family, even for the 'good eaters' and active folks.

Louise, good to know yours actually dropped when you ate less fat and etc. Gives me hope. Thanks all.

**shoiji** · 04-07-2008, 02:20 PM

My cholesterol has been high for a couple of years. The medication they gave me did horrible things to me. Anyway, finally decided to diet and exercise. That and I was able to stop smoking also. This all seems to help lower my numbers, they are still high but the doctor says not high enough for meds. Still need to loose some more weight, am also taking fish oil which the doctor suggested. I cook with healthy oils and try to keep portions the right size. Will have eggs once in a while, also shrimp, same with red meat. Hope you can find a good balance that will work for you!

**cab54** · 04-08-2008, 11:13 AM

quiltergirl2--Yes, my doctor is pretty vague about diet and etc also. I think most doctors are as clueless as we are as to why all of the things we do DON'T always make a difference. I'll bet their cholesterols are high too.

shoiji--I guess balance is what I'm looking for---I don't want to give up everything!

Ah, well, we persevere..........

**lwlynch** · 04-08-2008, 11:14 AM

all i can say is just keep trying. i think the portion thing is working for me.. not too much of one thing and if i do splurge then i wait a week or so before i do it again. the medication also drove me crazy.. made me soooo weak.

**shoiji** · 04-08-2008, 12:58 PM

This is what I have been having for breakfast lately. Heated homemade corn muffin made with peaches, next layer of sliced banana, next layer plain 1% organic yogurt mixed with honey. This is all put in a large bowl. I feel like I am eating desert but it is really breakfast food. And yes, I am still losing weight eating this.

Might want to try it if you feel like you need something different.

**JanieD** · 04-11-2008, 04:02 PM

cab54, I'm a little lost with the cholesterol issue myself. My doctor was surprised when my numbers came down after 2 years. I made a few changes & thought OK good! However, my numbers at up again (haven't been tested for several years since insurance never wants to pay, plus numbers were down last time). I'm looking at the food guidelines my doctor sent me & its vague. Think I'll need to do some research since I'm struggling with exactly what to eat. I know I don't eat right & need to focus on this & exercise regularly. Its hard to do though.

I could use help from a dietician/nutrutuinist, but they would take one look at what I'm eating & laugh. For me I need to make small changes over time so I'm not overwhelmed. I have found several websites that seem good (webmd & americanheart.org) & will look for others for general info to start with. Wonder if we can continue discussing changes we're make, maybe some sort of check in to keep us moving in the right direction, if others are interested?

**zakity** · 04-12-2008, 12:43 AM

A friend told me to take Benefiber. I mix it in my water. Mine was high and the doc gave me a month to get it down some. I got it down a little, enough for him to be satisfied with it. I am supposed to be losing weight and have a good chunk of weight off before I go in again.